The New Year is an obvious time to reflect on the year that has passed, but it is also an opportunity to plan for the year ahead. Living with Parkinson’s means that I live in a constant state of self-evaluation and self-improvement; I regularly evaluate what is and isn’t contributing to my health and well-being. The New Year is a time of optimism and hope; it is a time to look at the areas of our lives that aren’t working and then to make the necessary changes, it is a time to sync with our souls and do more of what makes us happy.
As I think back to the year that has gone, I wonder if I am a better version of myself compared to the start of the year? Did I achieve all that I hoped to? My answer is ‘no’, but I don’t think that this represents failure, perhaps my resolutions never happened for a good reason; life is unpredictable and can derail us.
Many of us will have been through some tough times last year, it may not have been an easy year and in no way do I want to dismiss anyone’s pain; but I would imagine that you are a lot stronger and abler to handle whatever else is thrown at you. You will have certainly learned some valuable lessons along the way; every setback gives us an opportunity to grow and develop.
When I am discontented with my life, then that is a sign that something needs to change. The New Year is a time to explore what needs to stay and what needs to go. There are things that can’t be changed, but there are many parts of my life where I have choices and options. Change causes us fear, but does that mean that we should stay in a situation that is soul-destroying?
One way that I start the New Year is by doing a vision board; this is a visible reminder of my goals for the year ahead, it can be done on a cork board, a page, or on a phone, the options are endless. The important thing about creating a vision board, is that it should be somewhere where you can check in with it regularly to assess your progress; most resolutions are broken by the end of January, but a vision board is a good way to keep up the momentum and prevent us being stagnant. I list the things that I want in my life and the things that make me truly happy. I use positive words or images from magazines, have an optimistic mindset, feel the emotion of achieving those targets and plan a life that I am jealous of. If fear didn’t exist, then what would I do? Vision boards are positive and less about ‘giving up’ things and more about welcoming in what you desire. I think of my vision board as a prescription for happiness and a visible reminder of my goals.
Creating a vision board must be accompanied with action though, it is not a passive process! Why not give it a go? Plant that seed of hope and possibility today, then buckle up; by this time next year you might be amazed at what has happened …
Happy New Year!
Perfectly Parkinson's 